Why do we study the Old Testament?

If you’ve ever started reading the Old Testament, you’ve probably had the same thought many people have: Why am I reading this? Between long genealogies, ancient laws, wars, and unfamiliar names, it can sometimes feel difficult to see how it applies to life today.

So why does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend so much time studying the Old Testament?

The simple answer is that it is the word of God. It teaches us who God is, how He works with His children, and how His plan has remained consistent from the very beginning. Even though it was written thousands of years ago, its lessons point us to Jesus Christ and help us become better disciples today.

Jesus Himself taught that the scriptures testify of Him. After His Resurrection, He explained to His disciples “in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). At that time, “the scriptures” were what we now call the Old Testament. In other words, the Savior taught that the Old Testament is really a witness of Him.

The Book of Mormon teaches the same principle. Nephi declared:

My soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given. (2 Nephi 11:4)

That statement changes how we read the Old Testament. The sacrifices, covenants, prophets, and even many historical events all point forward to Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

One of the greatest reasons to study the Old Testament is to better understand God’s character. Sometimes people mistakenly think the God of the Old Testament is different from the loving Savior of the New Testament. Latter-day Saints know they are the same Being. Jehovah, who led ancient Israel, is Jesus Christ before His mortal birth.

Knowing that Jehovah is Jesus Christ changes how we read these stories. When we read about the Lord delivering Israel from Egypt, making covenants with Abraham, or speaking through Isaiah, we are learning about the same Savior who later walked the streets of Galilee and gave His life for us.

The Old Testament also teaches us about covenants. God’s relationship with His children has always been based on covenant promises. We read about the covenants He made with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and others. Those same covenant patterns continue today through baptism and temple ordinances.

Understanding these ancient covenants helps us better appreciate the restored gospel. President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that gathering Israel is fundamentally about helping people make and keep covenants with God. The Old Testament provides the foundation for understanding why those covenants matter.

The stories in the Old Testament are also filled with examples of faith during difficult circumstances. Noah built an ark before there was any sign of a flood. Abraham trusted God enough to leave his homeland without knowing where he was going. Joseph forgave the brothers who sold him into slavery. Esther risked her life to save her people. Daniel remained faithful even when facing a lions’ den.

These are more than interesting historical accounts. They show ordinary people learning to trust God through extraordinary trials.

Paul explained why these stories were preserved:

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

That principle still applies today. We may never face a giant like David did or stand before Pharaoh like Moses, but we all face challenges that require faith, courage, and trust in the Lord.

The Old Testament also contains some of the most beautiful prophecies about Jesus Christ. Isaiah alone includes dozens of prophecies about the Savior’s birth, ministry, suffering, death, and millennial reign. Isaiah foretold that Christ would be “despised and rejected of men,” bear our griefs, and be “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53).

It’s no surprise that Jesus, Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi, and many other Book of Mormon prophets quoted Isaiah so often. They recognized that his writings help us better understand the Messiah.

As Latter-day Saints, we have another blessing that helps us understand the Old Testament better than ever before. The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Joseph Smith Translation often explain difficult passages and restore truths that were lost over time.

For example, the books of Moses and Abraham give us details about the Creation, Adam and Eve, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham that aren’t found in the traditional Old Testament. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies numerous verses, while the Book of Mormon quotes and explains many Old Testament prophecies.

In many ways, the Restoration provides a “study guide” for understanding the Old Testament.

Sometimes people wonder if the Old Testament is still relevant because we no longer live under the Law of Moses. While the law itself was fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind it still teach us important spiritual truths. The sacrifices point to the Savior’s sacrifice. The Passover points to Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. The tabernacle teaches us about coming into God’s presence. Even many ceremonial practices symbolize repentance, holiness, and redemption.

The Old Testament also reminds us that God keeps His promises. Again and again, Israel wandered away from Him, yet He patiently called them back through prophets. He showed mercy after repentance and fulfilled every covenant He made. That same patient, loving God, still invites us to return whenever we stray.

Perhaps one of the greatest reasons to study the Old Testament is that it strengthens our testimony of Jesus Christ. The more we understand the symbols, prophecies, covenants, and history found in its pages, the more clearly we see the Savior’s role in God’s eternal plan.

President Ezra Taft Benson encouraged Church members to immerse themselves in the scriptures because they bring us closer to Christ than any other book. The Old Testament is an important part of that scriptural foundation.

The Old Testament may require a little more patience than some other books of scripture, but the effort is worth it. It introduces us to Jehovah, teaches us about covenants, strengthens our faith through inspiring examples, and fills our hearts with hope in the promised Messiah. Rather than being an outdated history book, it is a powerful witness of Jesus Christ and His work from the very beginning.

When we study it with the help of modern revelation and the guidance of the Holy Ghost, we discover that the Old Testament isn’t just about ancient Israel. It’s about God’s children—including us—and His unchanging plan to bring all of us home through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Gramps